Pure England has introduced (on 14 September) 63 initiatives throughout England – “probably the most nature-depleted international locations on earth” – which were awarded a share of £14.5 million Species Restoration Programme Grant Scheme to assist get better 150 species nationwide.
This consists of six initiatives throughout the Rivers Belief Motion which were chosen to obtain funding, which can “beef up a few of our most iconic river wildlife and their habitats“ within the following areas:
- Westcountry Rivers Belief – Strategic Exe Weirs [Atlantic Salmon, Sea/Brown Trout, European Eel]
- Tyne Rivers Belief - MAST (Magaritifera, Salar, Trutta) Flying the Flag for Uncommon Species within the Rede [Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Atlantic Salmon, Brown/Sea Trout]
- South East Rivers Belief - WET Hogsmill (Water Vole, Eel & Trout) [ Brown Trout, Brown/Sea Trout, European Eel, Water Vole]
- West Cumbria Rivers Belief – Resilience for Margaritifera margaritifera (ReForM) [Freshwater Pearl Mussel]
- Wessex Rivers Belief - Wild Figheldean [Atlantic Salmon]
- Bristol Avon Rivers Belief – Cam and Wellow Eel Venture [European Eel, Brown Trout, River Lamprey/Brook Lamprey]
Pure England selected South East Rivers Belief (SERT) to host the scheme’s launch on the Hogsmill in Ewell, Surrey on 14 September, 2023.
SERT has been awarded £393,000 as a part of Pure England’s Species Restoration Programme Grant Scheme which goals to help focused motion to get better the UK’s most endangered species. The funding helps propagation, captive rearing, translocations, analysis and solution-trialling to search out one of the best approaches to allow endangered wildlife to outlive and flourish.
The WET Hogsmill venture led by SERT, will enhance the habitat of the Hogsmill river, a chalk stream in Southwest London. There are solely round 220 chalk streams worldwide, which means that that is an exceedingly uncommon and particular habitat. The venture will reintroduce Water Voles onto the river and create new habitats for each European Eel and Brown/Sea Trout and can run till Spring 2025.
Director of Comms and Advocacy for The Rivers Belief, Tessa Wardley stated: “These grants will enable Rivers Trusts, working with communities and companions, to assist a few of our most susceptible river species together with atlantic salmon, brown/sea trout, water voles, [and] European cels throughout the nation.“
Co-CEO of SERT, Dr. Bella Davies stated: “We’re thrilled to have been profitable in our utility to Pure England’s Species Restoration Grant to help the restoration of water voles, eels and native wild trout which have develop into close to extinct on the Hogsmill river in South West London. The Hogsmill is a uncommon city chalk stream, which means that it’s essential for nature and an essential useful resource for folks too. Our venture will restore river habitat and create backwaters the place fish can take refuge from air pollution by creating wetlands to enhance water high quality, which can assist reintroduce Water Voles which had been as soon as prevalent on the river. We’re excited to see this a lot wanted work start on the bottom to convey Water Vole, European Eel and Brown/Sea Trout again to the Hogsmill.“
